Kindergarten Math Unit 2

Shapes (2D and 3D)

Unit description: Students will describe, identify and sort items in their physical world using geometric ideas (e.g., shape, orientation, spatial relations) and vocabulary. They will use basic shapes and spatial reasoning to model objects in their environment and to construct construct two dimensional and three dimensional shapes. 

Essential Outcomes

Classify objects and count the number of objects in each category.

K.MD.3. Classify objects into given categories; count the numbers of objects in each category and sort the categories by count. (Limit category counts to be less than or equal to 10.)

Identify and describe shapes (squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, hexagons, cubes, cones, cylinders, and spheres).

K.G.1. Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above,below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.

K.G.2. Correctly name shapes regardless of their orientations or overall size.

K.G.3. Understand the difference between two-dimensional (lying in a plane, “flat”) and three dimensional (“solid”) shapes.

Understand simple patterns. 

K.OA.6. Duplicate, extend, and create simple patterns using concrete objects.

Other Standards Addressed in this Unit

Analyze, compare, create, and compose shapes.

K.G.4. Analyze and compare two- and three-dimensional shapes, in different sizes and orientations, using informal language to describe their similarities, differences, parts (e.g., number of sides and vertices/”corners”) and other attributes (e.g., having sides of equal length).

K.G.5. Model objects in their environment by building and/or drawing shapes.

K.G.6. Compose larger shapes from simple shapes.

Count to tell the number of objects. 

K.CC.4. Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities up to 20

  • 4a. When counting objects, say the number names in the standard order, pairing each object with one and only one number name and each number name with one and only one object. (1:1 correspondence) 
  • 4b. Understand that the last number name said tells the number of objects counted, (cardinality). The number of objects is the same regardless of their arrangement or the order in which they were counted.
  • 4c. Understand the concept that each successive number name refers to a quantity that is one larger. 
  • 4d. Understand the concept of ordinal numbers (first through tenth) to describe the relative position and magnitude of whole numbers. 

Essential Questions and Big Ideas

What are the characteristics of two-dimensional and three dimensional shapes? 

    • Two-dimensional shapes are flat.
    • Three dimensional shapes are solid.
    • All shapes retain their attributes regardless of size and position.
    • Knowing the characteristics of shapes helps us to identify them in the world around us.

 How is mathematical language used to describe shapes?

    • Names of two-dimensional shapes (squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, hexagons) and their descriptions.
    • Names of 3-dimensional shapes (cubes, cones, cylinders, spheres) and their descriptions.
    • The location of objects are described by using positional words. 

Prerequisite Standards

Identify and describe shapes (squares, circles, triangles, and rectangles). 

PK.G.1. Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as top, bottom, up, down, above, below, in front of, behind, over, under, and next to. 

PK.G.2. Name shapes regardless of size. 

Explore and create two- and three-dimensional objects.

PK.G.3. Explore two- and three-dimensional objects and use informal language to describe their similarities, differences, and other attributes. 

PK.G.4. Create and build shapes from components.

Sort objects and count the number of objects in each category. 

PK.MD.2. Sort objects and shapes into categories; count the objects in each category.  (Note: Limit category counts to be less than or equal to 10.)

Understand simple patterns. 

PK.OA.2. Duplicate and extend simple patterns using concrete objects.(e.g., What comes next?)

Count to tell the number of objects.

PK.CC.3. Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities to 10; connect counting to cardinality. 

      • 3a. When counting objects, say the number names in the standard order, pairing each object with one and only one number name and each number name with one and only one object. (1:1 correspondence)
      • 3b. Explore and develop the concept that the last number name said tells the number of objects counted, (cardinality). The number of objects is the same regardless of their arrangement or the order in which they were counted.

Download the complete Shapes (2D and 3D) framework to customize for your own planning.